What is possible when we ask our students about their classroom experience? The results might be confirming, surprising or open up new questions to explore further.
In 2017-18, CSTP worked with experts and practitioners to develop Washington’s own student perception survey system accessible to WA educators through eVAL, the state’s evaluation management system. A unique bank of survey items was developed by educators across Washington State; questions are connected to each of the three state-approved Instructional Frameworks. Currently, the survey items are designed to be utilized with 3rd– 12th grade students. Teachers have the ability to choose items and design an online survey based on specific areas in which they would like student feedback.
Benefits of Receiving Student Feedback
Thank you for making this survey available. My students are the best judge of my practice- they see the good, the bad and the ugly! I went over the results with them and asked them for ideas on how I can improve. It has been an awesome experience! – Middle School Teacher
There are many benefits of receiving student feedback about teacher practice. This is an opportunity to reflect on how students perceive teaching and learning and is information teachers can utilize for their professional growth.
This type of feedback opens new possibilities for conversations with PLCs, evaluators, instructional coaches, mentors or grade level / department teams.
The MOST IMPORTANT post-survey action are discussions between teachers and their students. This can open avenues for on-going dialogue and feedback, exhibit to students the teacher’s growth mindset and create stronger partnerships with students as initiators of their own their own learning and growth. See the Student Perception Self Reflection.
Access Student Perception Items and Surveys
If you are interested in creating a student perception survey, you will need access to eVAL, Washington State’s online evaluation management system.
If you are already a user of eVAL:
- Log into eVAL.
- Click on “eVAL Help”.
- On the left menu of options under eVAL Modules, click on “Perception Surveys”.
- Step-by-step directions for creating a survey will be listed.
If you aren’t an eVAL user:
- Whether your district uses eVAL or not, you can gain access by contacting your district’s Data Security Manager and requesting to be added to eVAL. (eVAL is part of the state’s Electronic Data Security system, EDS – the same system you use to access your certification file in eCert.)
- Log into the EDS system.
- Click on “View Data Security Managers”, which will pull up a list of districts along with the representative for your district.
- Contact your district Security Manager to request an account.
- Once that is in place, follow the instructions above to access the perception surveys.
Student Perception Toolkit
Student Perception Survey Toolkit
As with any critical data, Student Perception Surveys should be a tool for growth and learning. In order to deepen the learning experience, a toolkit has been developed to support in pre-administration and design of the survey as well as reflection and follow-up on the survey results.
Purpose of Toolkit
The Student Perception Survey Toolkit is intended to offer tools and resources to create a climate of emotional safety for teachers; this toolkit supports educators as they seek and respond to student perception data and honor student voice. Paramount in the thinking behind these tools — safeguard the emotional safety of educators so they are in a place where growth and learning can occur.
Tools and Resources
- Using Student Perception Studies to Inform Teaching Practice – A step-by-step overview of preparing for, administering and reflecting on the Student Perception Survey
- Learning from Student Perception Surveys in a Collaborative Group
- Teacher Script for Student Perception Surveys – Teacher script to introduce and explain administration of the survey to students
- The Many Emotions of the Student Perception Survey – A fun analysis of the stages of teacher emotions
- Student Perception Survey Self-Assessment
- Student Perception Self-Reflection – Once you have administered the survey, now what? This tools provides some general ideas for next steps
- Initial Results Reflection
- Sharing Survey Results with Students – Ideas for further involving students in processing survey results
- Action Planning: Choose Your Areas of Focus for Growth – A tool to support focused reflection in connection with the Learn Next modules and resources
- Post-Action Reflection
- Implementing a Classroom-based Strategy Reflection Tool
- What’s Next? Resources and Tools
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Learn Next for providing funding for the Student Perception Toolkit.
We also would like to thank the following educator workgroup for developing and testing the tools and resources within the toolkit:
- Joanna Brown, Pullman High School, Pullman Public Schools
- Sandra Casanova, Jefferson Elementary School, Pullman Public Schools
- Shannon Cotton, Liberty Middle School, Camas School District
- Denise Isler, Saltars Point Elementary, Steilacoom Historical School District
- Sarah Kankelberg, Liberty Middle School, Camas School District
- Emma-Kate Schaake, Tumwater High School, Tumwater School District
- Ashley Shold, Liberty Middle School, Camas School District
- Mary Snyder, Saltars Point Elementary, Steilacoom Historical School District
- Kristine Straw, Liberty Middle School, Camas School District
- Sheila Stuhlsatz, Kalama Middle/High School, Kalama School District
What Teachers Say about Student Perception Surveys
“Perception is reality and my reality is now the perception of my students….what can I do to make a difference in my classroom so that I see growth there for me, and my students feel like their voice has been heard.” – Elementary Teacher, Steilacoom SD
My students really did appreciate the opportunity and expressed how nice it was that they were able to have a chance to give feedback to their teacher. -Elementary teacher, Pullman SD
I’m excited to have such a detailed tool for my reflection and self-improvement as a teacher. –MS LA Teacher, Camas WA
This has been a wonderful tool and the best conversation focus, ever. -MS/ HS Worlds Language Teacher (Kalama SD)
Thank you SO much for this tool! I have my students reflect on my classes twice a year. I’m super excited to dig into this! -HS World Language Teacher (Tacoma Public Schools)
There is a lot to learn from this data! – Elementary Teacher, Kent SD
